- Electroless Nickel Phosphorus Plating
SUPER-STRONG, TIME-TESTED COATING SOLUTION.
KC Jones Plating Company brings more than six decades of expertise to electroless nickel phosphorus plating projects and offers a wide range of functional coatings. We operate several rack and barrel systems primarily for Big 3 automotive and for Tier 1 suppliers. KC Jones operates three electroless nickel lines at Hazel Park (including aluminum capabilities) and a fourth electroless nickel line at our Indiana Division in Columbia City, Indiana.
As a leading provider of cost-effective electroless nickel plating solutions that enhance corrosion and wear resistance, KC Jones can deliver superior results for your business. Contact our team to learn more.
Wear Resistance Properties
Wear is the loss of material from the surface of a product or substrate due to a mechanical action, such as abrasion or erosion. While limiting exposure to these conditions can be challenging or, in some cases impossible, the electroless nickel plating process can minimize their impact and increase the workpiece’s wear resistance.
An electroless nickel phosphorous coating provides increased harness. While the material is not as hard as chromium and other coatings, it provides sufficient protection in many industrial applications.
Lubricity is another area where a nickel phosphorous coating can increase a workpiece’s wear resistance. Because the material generates less friction than other coatings, it significantly reduces the risk of scarring. The finished product will have fewer surface imperfections that detract from its appearance and possibly limit its functionality.
Electroless nickel plating is also a highly ductile coating, meaning it is less likely to bend, break, crack, or shatter under pressure than a traditional nickel coating. This characteristic can contribute to better long-term performance and extend the product’s life span.
Electroless Nickel Phosphorous Industry Solutions
The electroless nickel plating process delivers excellent outcomes for companies in numerous industries. It is a preferred choice for protecting flight-critical components on aircraft. Automobile manufacturers also use it for coating pistons, gears, cylinders, and various moving parts.
The tight electroless nickel plating specification tolerances make it an excellent choice for many high-precision military metal finishing applications. It provides a more uniform coating that is essential for these components.
Electroless Nickel Phosphorus Plating SOLUTION & Benefits
Electroless nickel coatings offer uniform thickness, high hardness, and natural lubricity, which makes it a great corrosion protection and wear resistance option. To increase its wear-resistant capabilities, it can be treated by heat and by the co-deposition of particulate matter such as silicon carbide, diamond, alumina, fluorinated carbon, and polytetrafluoroethylene.
Common Applications for Electroless Nickel Phosphorus Plating
Based on its corrosion resistance, wear resistance, lubricity, and uniform deposit thickness, it is often applied to heat sinks, pistons, engine bearings, hose couplings, gear assemblies, carburetor parts, fuel injectors, shock absorbers, and exhaust system components.
Electroless Nickel Plating Phosphorus Content
Electroless nickel is a dense nickel alloy composed of nickel and phosphorus. Phosphorus content ranges from the low-end: 2% to high-end: 14%, depending on the specific application and performance requirements.
Electroless Nickel Plating Hardness
Low Phosphorus Electroless Nickel Plating (2-4%)
2 to 4% P coatings are microcrystalline and possess high deposit hardness (620 to 750 HK 100). These coatings are used in applications requiring abrasion and wear resistance.
Lower phosphorus deposits between 1 and 3% P are also microcrystalline. They are used in electronic applications and provide solderability, bondability, increased electrical conductivity, and resistance to strong alkali solutions.
Mid Phosphorus Electroless Nickel Plating (5-9%)
Mid phosphorus deposits between 5 and 9% P are widely used to meet general wear and corrosion resistance requirements, especially in automotive applications.
High Phosphorus Electroless Nickel Plating (10-14%)
Coatings with more than 10% P have superior salt-spray and acid resistance in a wide range of applications. They are used on beryllium and titanium parts for low-stress properties, which is why they are used frequently in the oil and gas industry.
Coatings with more than 11.2 % P are not considered ferromagnetic.
ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE, NO MATTER THE APPLICATION
KC Jones employs newer, more environmentally friendly processes for its electroless nickel phosphorus plating. Regardless of the application, KC Jones EN meets the following initiatives, regulations, and specifications:
- Automotive End of Life Vehicle (ELV)
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
Turn to the Experts at KC Jones Plating
Trust the experienced professionals at KC Jones for electroless nickel phosphorous plating and other essential metal finishing services. Take the next step and contact us to request more information. Our team will work to understand your company’s processes and applications to find the best solutions for you.
